WEDNESDAY COMMENTARY – ROOT FOR OTHERS
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary on Cat Country 98 & Rock 98.5 FM)
Today we examine the curious case of BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke.
That is, BC Lions quarterback for now. A Vancouver media report (Sekeres & Price) stated Rourke will sign with an NFL team by the end of the week after having worked out for at least 11 clubs south of the border since the CFL season ended.
By farrrrr the CFL’s top story in 2022, Rourke continues to dominate discussion even into the winter.
For one, some fans can’t figure out why this NFL tour is necessary. They say scouts have seen oodles of tape from Nathan’s college and CFL games so what’s left to see?
I can see why you’d say that. But you’d be wrong.
Would you buy a house, only going by photos and video? Of course not. These teams want to see Rourke up close, look in the whites of his eyes, and get to know him before they make a 5-, or 6-figure investment.
I got no problems with that. And as I learned from my Dad’s scouting career, if it was just about picking out the best players, anybody could be a scout. It’s a feel, and about fact-finding.
Anyway, my guess is Rourke will sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, but that’s just a true shot in the dark.
As for whether or not Nathan signing in the NFL is a good or bad thing for the CFL, we may never reach a consensus on that but it says here it’s entirely a good thing.
Decades later fans in both countries still talk about Warren Moon’s, Jeff Garcia’s and Doug Flutie’s days in the CFL. From what I can see, they helped put the CFL on the map.
Nathan Rourke could just be the next one.
Or, he could be the next Dave Dickenson or Ricky Ray who got tired of backing up in the NFL and quickly returned to Canada to win more Grey Cups and head to the Hall of Fame.
But at least they took the shot. I know ‘em all and they have no regrets. Nor will Nathan Rourke when he puts pen to paper with an NFL team.
I’m rooting for him.
And I sit here today still scratching my head wondering why anyone wouldn’t want the best for others?
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and WQEE Radio)
It’s ingrained in them since the history of the province began and the country for that matter. The country/province is about dividing East/West, French/English, Rural/Urban etc, and now it is Vaccinated/unvacinnated. They are so busy arguing over these matters and the petty jealousy around somebody dare doing better. We can all thank the evil Tommy Douglas. People can do well….just not to well. I encourage people to go read Orwell’s Animal Farm to understand the true nature of people and class systems. This is why the circle must remain small, stay away from social media, and end any conversation that… Read more »
I wish Nathon Rourke well if in fact he gets to actually play in the NFL.
However if he is stapled to the bench ala Dave Dickensen and Ricky Ray then I’d much rather have him with B.C. playing in front of sold-out stadiums across Canada.
He is exciting!